Editing Lilian Baels (section)

== Life in Argenteuil and charity work ==
In 1960, following the marriage of King Baudouin, Leopold and Lilian moved out of the royal palace to a government property, the estate of Argenteuil, Belgium. Lilian employed various designers to transform the dilapidated mansion on the property into a distinguished and elegant residence for the ex-King. Argenteuil became a cultural centre under the auspices of Leopold and Lilian, who cultivated the friendship of numerous prominent writers, scientists, mathematicians, and doctors. Leopold and Lilian also travelled extensively all over the world.<ref name="Verwilghen"/>

Following her son Prince Alexandre's heart surgery in [[Boston, Massachusetts]] in 1957,<ref name="sydney"/> Princess Lilian became very interested in medicine, and, in particular, in cardiology, and founded a Cardiological Foundation in 1958<ref name="sydney"/> to promote new forms of treatment for cardiovascular diseases,<ref name="sydney"/> which, through its work, has saved the lives of hundreds of people. Both before and after her husband's death in 1983, Lilian pursued her interests in intellectual and scientific spheres with energy and passion.<ref name="Verwilghen">Michel Verwilghen, ''{{lang|fr|Le mythe d'Argenteuil: demeure d'un couple royal}}''</ref> Princess Lilian also personally financed a number of Belgian children who needed to go to the United States for operations.<ref name="sydney"/> Princess Lilian and her husband appeared in public at a ceremony for the Brussels Exhibition of 1958.<ref name="sydney"/> In 1961, Lilian inaugurated a new cardiac research laboratory at the Hospital Saint-Pierre in Brussels.<ref name="sydney"/>

In 1962, ''Pan'', a Belgian satirical journal, followed by two French tabloids, released a publication about the private life of Lilian. On December 31, Leopold submitted a complaint to the press. He wrote that "For more than twenty years, my wife has shared my joys and my sorrows: she has restored a home to me, she has helped me to raise the children Queen Astrid gave me, and she has consecrated herself to them with a devotion and a tenderness that have made them what they are today."<ref>Cleeremans, Jean. ''Léopold III, homme libre''. 2001. pp. 17-18</ref> He also concluded that "My wife and I wish for nothing more than to dwell in peace at Argenteuil, and devote ourselves to scientific, philanthropic and social activities in which we take a deep interest."<ref name="sydney"/>

Her belongings from the chateau were put up at auction in Amsterdam.<ref>"Sotheby's Princess Lilian of Belgium {{lang|fr|Chateau D'Argenteuil}} Amsterdam 22 and 23 September 2003" (Catalogue, 185 pages)</ref>